993 value problems help

[new driver]

I have had many porsche cars but only aircooled was 912 I like the looks of the 993 and am looking at a 95 with tiptronic it has less than 60 k miles and is priced around 26k what problems do I need to look for and what do you folks think value is ? I have read about valve guide problems in every car since 911 sc due to bronze in germany not being as hard as needed is this and the carbon build up a real problem as long as car is not using a lot of oil, ie more than one quart every 1k or more miles? Dumb as a rock and do not need to get into more problems , my history is is with 944 turbos and na and 968 and boxster s but feel a need to go 911 at least once in my life ,any advice will be greatly appreciated jesse

[Macroni]

You are in the right area of the country for an excellent pre purchase inspection. Go to the tech board and request for assistance with finding a good mechanic. The price is right if it checks out. PPIs run around 200 to 300.

Good Luck w/ your purchase.

[new driver]

thanks I have a shop that I have worked with for years, miller sport in hillsboro ns Just wanted to see what you guys thought about price and have been reading about all potential problems ie valve guides carbon etc. ,I appreciate the reply Jesse

[umfan866]

The problem with the valve guides is real. Try to get a car where the valve guides or complete top-end has been replaced. It is a problem from 87-98. For example, I know of a car locally where this was done on a 96 -- the person's bill for valve guides/ top-end AND a clutch job was $14,000! The guy is asking $25,000 for this car, with 133,000 miles, but it needs paint in many areas. I am therefore looking at other cars but they of course may need the valve guides done -- caveat empor.

The issue with carbon buildup causing a sensor to tell the check engine light to go on is known as the SAI (Secondary Air Intake) issue. This does NOT affect the 1995 993, but does affect 1996-1998 993's. If that light came on and the mechanic can't fix it then he/she must in the end do a complete top-end which BTW will fix the valve guide issue.

The problem also is that 911's under 100k typically do not have a top-end done on them, and ones 110-140k often already have the top-end done...so you have to pick do you want a nice clean low-mileage car or a more high-miles car where other things may be worn out.

I wish these issues werent true and I have tried to do a lot of research, but they are true unfortunately. Some people say the SC's are the most reliable of all.
Then again I read about issues with head studs on the SCs..

So who knows..

Marvin

[new driver]

Thank you for your reply, it is a great service for pelican to host this site; which has so much to give to the drivers of these cars, so what to do! I love these cars ;the idea of having a great loking great handling sports car, but seems like each model has its on problems so do I keep boxster s , there are two in every village ,with their own set of issues; or go back to the dependable front engine cars with their own # 2 rod bearing and belt change issues , well if I wanted to drive a chevy I would have one , thanks for the help Jesse

[umfan866]

Since you've already done the Boxster and the front-engine Porsche's I would say stick with your plan to get a 911, just try to find one that has
had the valve guides replaced (or a complete top-end) -- they are out there. If it hasn't, bargain heavily to factor in that expense if it does come up (out here in California it can be 8-10k).